CLC Radio Cleveland

The Rite of Stripping the Altar, Lectern and Pulpit on Maundy Thursday

The sanctuary hosts many items that are of the Christian faith. Each is in the holy place here for a particular purpose. Together they speak of salvation and forgiveness given by the Father, wrought by the Son and bestowed by the Holy Spirit through the means of grace. They speak of life.

On that first Maundy Thursday, our Lord Jesus was preparing Himself for our death. As we prepare for Good Friday and as we ponder the day of Jesus’ crucifixion, we remove items from the altar, lectern and pulpit. We strip this holy place of life, as our Lord Jesus was stripped of His Life by offering Himself as the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world. While the pastors strip the altar, Psalm 22 is chanted antiphonally.

The Palm Sunday Banner and Palm Plants
The crowds shouting “Hosanna!” will soon be shouting, “Crucify Him!” Therefore we remove the Palm Sunday Banner and the Palm Plants.

The Flowers
Flower are a part of God’s good and beautiful creation. But during His Passion, our Lord’s beauty was taken away and replaced with the ugliness of death. Therefore the flowers are removed.

The Offering Plates
The offering plates carry gifts of thanks to the altar – gifts that the LORD first has given to us. God so loved the world that He gave His Only-Begotten Son. Thus Jesus is the greatest gift ever given. For a time, he was taken away in death. His disciples gave no gifts ... no thanks. Gloom and grieving replaced thanksgiving. Therefore we remove the offering plates.

The Communion Ware
The Lord’s Supper is the Body and Blood of Christ, in, with and under the bread and wine, given and shed for us for the remission of sin. For a time, His Blood flowed no more and His Body was placed in a tomb and hidden from view. Thus we remove the Communion vessels from view.

The Missal Stand and The Bible
The Missal stand holds the Bible, God’s Word for us to read and to hear. Jesus is also the Word of God. He is the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us. He came to preach the Word of God, which is living and active, sharper than a two-edged sword. On Good Friday Jesus died. The Word was silenced. So we remove the missal stand and the Bible.

The Candles
Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world.” He brought Light and Life to people living in the darkness that leads to death. On Good Friday the Light was snuffed out, and a great darkness covered the land for three hours. Therefore the acolyte extinguishes the candles and they are removed from the sanctuary.

The Altar Cloths and the Paraments
The Psalmist says, “Thou preparest a table before me ... and ... my cup overflows.” Jesus has been our Host here this evening. The royal linens speak the Presence of the King Who has invited us to His Table. Tonight He has eaten His last Supper and will not feast with us again until another Day. So we strip the table clean. This is also symbolic of the antiphon of Psalm 22 "They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture," prophetic of the soldiers' gambling for His robes.